Czesnik and Rejent are the combative scions of two prominent families fallen on hard times, both of whom have the poor fortune of having homes which share a common courtyard. Czesnik's niece Klara has fallen in love with Waclaw, Rejent's son. However, Rejent has promised his son to Podstolina, a beautiful widow who has attracted Czesnik's eye. Meanwhile, Papkin, a former nobleman short on both cash and courage, hopes to wed Klara, but as a neutral party in the feud between the two clans, Klara thinks she might be able to use Papkin for her own purposes to bring her together with Waclaw.